It's been another busy week! I started teaching sewing classes for girls, which is going really well. It's a 12-week course in 2 hour blocks, with a class size limit of 3 girls. It's exciting to see how many young girls are interested in sewing - I already have a waiting list for the next course once the first ones are over. If any of you are interested in seeing my curriculum to get ideas for starting your own classes where you live, I'll be happy to email it to you. If you are an experienced sewer, it's a great way to share your skills and train the next generation of sewing experts!
I've had a lot of my friends express interest in adult sewing classes too, which I'll probably start doing here and there as one-time, 4-hour workshops teaching how to make a specific project rather than weekly classes. But first, I need to finish fine-tuning this:
Yes, it's my first official pattern! I've been working on it for several weeks now, making sure that all the instructions are clear and the step-by-step photos are right. As the title cover states, it's more than just a pattern for making these specific 5 bags (although it does that too). It is meant to teach you how to do your own calculations so that you can design your own bags from scratch and make them any size your heart desires. I've included diagrams and computation formulas to help you out, so it will (hopefully) be pretty easy to do.
But there's no way of knowing for sure until I give some patterns away to some of you so you can test them out and give me feedback! Soooo...whaddya say....who wants to test a pattern?
I'll need 6 different pattern testers (one for each of the 5 bags pictured plus one custom bag) so when you email me let me know which bag you would like to make. From left to right, they are: Mini Clutch, Red Tote, Jumbo Tote, Pink Messenger Bag, and Grey Clutch. I'll need you to make them within a week or so of receiving the pattern, and fill out a little survey/problem alert about the pattern when you're done. Karen B, I've already got you down as a tester - just let me know which bag you'd like to make.
When the pattern has all the potential bugs worked out, I'll post it for sale on my Etsy site that I started a couple of years ago and then let go dormant...another thing to figure out (or re-learn, I should say). I'm trying to earn money so that A) we can pay off our remodeling bills and B) so that I can raise enough capital to be able to print the dress and skirt patterns that I have waiting in the wings. Those patterns need to be printed on large tissue sheets, in very large numbers = a very big chunk-o-change to get them printed.
So I'm starting out small, and hopefully I'll be able to do the bigger patterns relatively soon. Besides, I've been promising some of you this pattern for a couple of years now.
I'm working on another free tutorial for you soon, too - a little mini wallet that fits just perfectly into those mini clutches you see in the pattern. Fun, fun!
Okay, enough talking (or writing, to be accurate). Time to get back to work!
Well, I'd LOVE to test a pattern for you! These are adorable!!! I'd really be happy to test any of them! But I am especially drawn to the grey clutch or the mini and the red tote. But seriously, I'd love to test any of them!!! And congrats and good luck!! :)
Posted by: Sarah E. | July 19, 2010 at 01:21 PM
Oh, pick me! I'd _love_ to test a pattern for you - any of them ... but I really like the red tote, the jumbo tote, or the messenger bag. (Okay, they're all cute .. but I love tote bags of any size or shape. I can never have too many!)
Posted by: Sharon | July 19, 2010 at 01:52 PM
I'd also started teaching sewing, but didn't know how to go about it. I ended up just making projects and we both learned on fly. I would love to have some guidance in it all. I'm not an expert sewer, by far!, but if no one else asks, I'll try a pattern. I imagine your instructions are easier to follow than some of the tutorials on line :. Thanks!!
Posted by: Jillian McGregor | July 19, 2010 at 04:03 PM
I'd be happy to test any one of these gorgeous bags--just give me whichever one is left after the others are chosen.
Here's hoping you make a million bucks.
Posted by: Edith Songer | July 19, 2010 at 04:38 PM
I have always loved the diaper bag you made for Michele. I'd love to test a pattern for you. I am going to be gone the week of July 26-30, so that might be when you need it done, but if not I could work on it right when I get back. I love the Red Tote or Jumbo Tote, and the Messanger Bag. So if you need another helper, count me in!
Posted by: rachelle | July 19, 2010 at 06:21 PM
I would love to test a pattern for you. I would test any of them. I think the one you have here is just adorable! I also would be interested in your sewing classes for girls curriculum. I am a very experienced seamstress.
Posted by: Elizabeth | July 19, 2010 at 07:39 PM
Shelley. I'd love to try my hand at the messenger bag and see if I can make it masculine enough for my boys. We are moving right now, but we'll be setted in SLC by Aug. 10th and my new house has a sewing room! Never thought I'd have one of those! I'm hoping it has a lock so I can leave projects in progress.
Posted by: Sarah Cresap | July 20, 2010 at 08:49 AM
I can't wit to buy this what a great idea to help us to calculate them
Posted by: Janaina Oliveira | July 20, 2010 at 11:28 AM
Looks like you already have enough testers but if you need more I would love to test the red tote, or any of them really. Let me know.
Posted by: Joy | July 20, 2010 at 11:46 AM
I'll test any size you would like.
Posted by: heather | July 20, 2010 at 06:30 PM
I have done almost all of your tutorials and LOVE your patterns. I will do one of the little clutches if you still need someone. I would do any, but have a few other projects going on right now. Let me know and I would love to do it.
Posted by: Tara | July 20, 2010 at 06:56 PM
I would love to test your Red Tote Bag! Red is one of my most favorite colors and my eye was really drawn to this bag!
Posted by: Pat Chivers | July 21, 2010 at 09:51 AM
I had a huge comment written and it went away. Sigh. Shelley, I think you are such an inspiration, and I truly love to see everything you do! I will be a tester if you need anyone else, although I think you might be all set. I have no preference on the bags, they are all adorable. I am thinking you might want to try to get at least one beginning seamstress to test just to make sure they could handle it. I know when I got my hands on the Amy Butler cabo halter pattern, a friend of mine was going to do it with me as a sew-along but she was overwhelmed by it and just put it away... but I found the pattern to be incredibly user-friendly. Different perspectives! On another note, I would love to have a copy of your sewing curriculum. I have friends who have asked me to get their children interested in sewing but I don't have any kind of formal plans for that and would feel better if I had your ideas to go by. My email is jayneofall@yahoo.com. And thank you, again, for having this blog as an inspiration and for still appearing human although I think you must have some kind of super powers. :-) Morgen
Posted by: Jayneofall | July 21, 2010 at 10:54 AM
I posted a comment, but it looks like it didn't make it on here. Its okay, I was around #7 anyway. I just wanted to let you know that I'm still reading and watching your kiddos grow. I can't believe how big they are getting! :0) Thanks for the inspiration and ideas!
Posted by: Kate W. | July 24, 2010 at 05:29 PM
What a great pattern this will be! I would love to test the Jumbo Tote since with three kids I carry everything in my purse! Thanks for the opportunity!
Posted by: Greta | July 25, 2010 at 09:59 AM
Hi! Absolutely gorgeous pattern! As a relatively new sewer, I'd be glad to test any of the patterns to see how it easy it would be from a beginner's perspective.
Take care!
Posted by: Erica | July 25, 2010 at 06:08 PM
I am sure you have plenty of testers so how will we be able to purchase this pattern? I had to give my old email it won't accept my actuall one :( but it's jeanam@kittilson.com
Posted by: Jeana | July 25, 2010 at 06:48 PM
{pickme!pickme} … I'd love to test it, but it looks like you have plenty who have volunteered already. Heck, I was hoping for a link to buy it … it looks fabulous!! Can't wait to get m hands on it either way :)
Posted by: Heather | July 26, 2010 at 04:24 AM
I'd love to test a pettern for you but it looks like you've got lots.
Lovely pattern
Posted by: Ruth Oblinski | July 26, 2010 at 03:09 PM
I would love to be a tester, but it looks like you are set. I'm looking forward to the pattern being available for sale. How can I safely send you my email, I'd be interested in viewing your sewing classes curriculum.
Posted by: Jessica | July 26, 2010 at 03:38 PM
I also would love to test one of these patterns if you are in need of any more testers, if not do you know when these patterns will be available? i love your turtorials on the mini wallet and clutch purse and can not wait to try some of these new styles!
Posted by: Jessica M Hooper | August 24, 2010 at 11:52 AM